The Recovering Pharisee

Mental Illness and the Bible: What Christians Need to Know (Sermon Clip)

Drop me a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2543106/fan_mail/new] Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel: The Recovering Pharisee [https://www.youtube.com/@therecoveringpharisee] Our culture has learned to reach for a label where Scripture calls for a confession. And if we lose the category of sin, we lose the hope of forgiveness and real change. In this episode, I share a clip from a recent sermon at Redeemer Church from our series through 1 John. Before the clip, I give some quick context: what the sermon was addressing, why this topic matters, and what I am (and am not) saying about mental illness. Here's the full sermon: God is Light / 1 John 1:5-2:2 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5IAOY0p1DU] Using narcissistic personality disorder as a case study, we walk through what the DSM-5 can do (describe patterns of behavior) and what it cannot do (explain the heart or offer forgiveness). What the DSM calls grandiosity, Scripture calls pride. What the DSM calls entitlement, Scripture calls selfish ambition. A diagnosis can describe you, but only Christ can change you. To be clear: not every mental illness is a sin issue, and people with real afflictions should get real help. But Christians need biblical categories for thinking about sin, temptation, and the labels our culture offers. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 CSB) Resources mentioned: Serotonin and Depression: Four Questions and Answers About a New Study by Ed Welch, Mike Emlet, and Alastair Groves (The Gospel Coalition) [https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/serotonin-depression-study/] If this was helpful, like this video and subscribe to t [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCmT7JkHWHpQCQd4agE-G5bA]he channel for more on sound doctrine and practical theology for everyday Christian living.

Answering the Giving Questions Christians Are Afraid to Ask

Drop me a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2543106/fan_mail/new] Can I give to my church if I'm in debt? What if I can't afford to give at all? And what if I don't trust my pastors with my money? These are the questions many Christians carry quietly, and they deserve honest, biblical answers. In this episode, I walk through the most common questions I've received about Christian giving: where to prioritize your giving, what to do when finances are tight, how to think about giving while paying off debt, how churches should care for members who don't give, and how to evaluate parachurch ministries before supporting them. Underneath it all is the heart of the matter: we give because God first gave to us. If you missed Part 1, "Are Christians Required to Tithe?", be sure to check it out. Resource mentioned: Why Should I Give to My Church? by Jamie Dunlop [https://www.amazon.com/Why-Should-Give-Church-Questions/dp/1433572435] The Recovering Pharisee exists to equip pastors, church leaders, and church members in sound doctrine and practical theology. Subscribe for new episodes on the local church, biblical counseling, and Christian living.

Are Christians Required to Tithe 10%?

Drop me a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2543106/fan_mail/new] Have you ever been told that if you don't give 10%, you're robbing God? Or been asked whether you should tithe on your gross income or your net? A lot of what Christians have been taught about tithing doesn't actually line up with Scripture. In this episode we work through the most common arguments for the 10% tithe and ask a straightforward question: does the New Testament actually require it? We look at what the Old Testament tithing system was really for, the passages in Malachi, Matthew, and Genesis that get used to make the case, and what Paul actually teaches about giving in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. Here's the short answer: there is no command or even an example of New Covenant Christians being required to tithe 10% of their income to a local church. But that's not a loophole to give less. It's an invitation to give regularly, deliberately, cheerfully, and proportionately, which for many of us means giving more than 10%, not less. Whether you're a pastor working through a stewardship series or a church member trying to honor God with your finances, this one will help you think more biblically about giving. Key Passages: Matthew 23:23, Malachi 3:8-10, Genesis 14, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 Resources Mentioned The Treasure Principle [https://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Principle-Revised-Updated-Unlocking/dp/0735290326/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WNGB3698CP6B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8iOSsVuYecqJrlNNtS04ZOaZXnE2uF7oJF1Km43wz4Ne_LibmWnJoA-UCzAZKme9ytUORZntN4xIHkl_mPmI_A0C8NyoohPISy0bhL7wo-hTaVKHIoNNkl00kxFjm0NMJMmCO4DDELPebp_XLDDwaGCepTqc-qmKj-eFj_WVva0-n7uYOnTp_1u4IV8uiyY5MDuEkycZR2xysp1qwh3_Uazs36R0HfewDnLl06LmVRU.nNl5Le_ykRs06wmCVDd3D4DMuoRoncE4uPvttAr2BVE&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Treasure+Principle+by+Randy+Alcorn&qid=1782352032&s=books&sprefix=the+treasure+principle+by+randy+alcorn%2Cstripbooks%2C217&sr=1-1]by Randy Alcorn  Why Should I Give to My Church? [https://www.amazon.com/Why-Should-Give-Church-Questions/dp/1433572435]by Jamie Dunlop

How to Find Your Spiritual Gift (And Stop Taking Online Quizzes)

Drop me a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2543106/fan_mail/new] Most Christians are sitting on gifts God intended for the church. That is a problem. In this episode, we walk through Romans 12 and what Scripture actually says about spiritual gifts, how God distributes them, and how to discover and use yours for the edification of your local church and the glory of God. Your gifts are not personal assets. They belong to God, and He entrusted them to you for a reason. What we cover: * Why spiritual gifts are not your own personal spiritual assets * The living sacrifice every Christian is called to be (Romans 12:1-2) * Why the church is a body, and every member is essential * The 7 gifts Paul lists in Romans 12 and what they actually mean * Nobody in your church is unnecessary, and nobody is ultimate * How to guard against gift envy and be content with what God has given you * The one practical step to actually discovering your spiritual gift 📖 Key Text: Romans 12:1-8

Christians and Social Media: 15 Biblical Rules

Drop me a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2543106/fan_mail/new] Christians are lobbing grenades at each other online while claiming to follow the Prince of Peace. Something is seriously off. Here are 15 biblical rules for how Christians should carry themselves on social media, straight from Ephesians 4:29-32. Guardrails, practical tips, and some real talk about keyboard courage and mistaking followers for fruit. Social media is never neutral. You're either building people up or tearing them down. What we cover: * Why Christians compartmentalize their faith from their online behavior * Is it gossip? Is it edifying? Would Christ be honored? (5 guardrails) * Why keyboard courage is cowardice * Why a big following doesn't equal faithfulness * How to leverage your platform for God's glory 📖 Key Text: Ephesians 4:29-32 🎙 Podcast: [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2543106 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2543106]]  📧 Substack: [https://substack.com/@kingdaddybatman [https://substack.com/@kingdaddybatman]] Twitter: [https://x.com/KingDaddyBatman [https://x.com/KingDaddyBatman]] #ChristianSocialMedia #BibleTeaching #Discipleship